20081031

O: Radiate diad hd of Antiochus IV r, one diad end flying up behind and the other falling forward off shoulder, dotted border.

R: BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ on r., ANTIOXOY on l., Artemis stg facing holding torch and bow, dotted border. Control mark on outer left Π with A inside monogram.

Ex: David LiebertAcquisition: 2008

According to SC II, the authors propose that these issues could well be from Ascalon/Ashkelon as well, due to “the use of reverse dies much smaller than the flans, and frequent off-center strikes….”(p. 93). The edge chip appears to have occurred in antiquity.

DEALER NOTES: “An especially well centered and struck example with the finer artistic style portrait of Zeus gracing the obverse. Lightly toned, extremely attractive and highly desirable as it was struck in the ancient city where the Olympiads were held. Considerable luster remains in the protected areas of both surfaces with only rub on the highest areas preventing me from assigning this piece the EF designation. Rare. "

Dealer’s Notes: “Superb EF with multi-colored toning with lustrous surfaces. Very rare and exceptional for this issue or any issue”

This same coin is Ex: Harlan J. Berk 98, 7 Oct 1997, lot 174 described as "Antiochus VIII; 125-96 BC, Drachm, Cilicia, Tarsus, 3.79 g. Houghton-479. RX: Sandan Standing on back of horned, winged lion. Some surface crystallization and incrustation. Otherwise, Good VF." It was also illustrated within the catalogue. It is also described in SC II as 2058.2 " US market (Berk) October 1997" but notes a control mark that is apparently incorrect in the text as none of the Antiochus VII drachms from this particular sale match the control mark noted in the text of SC II from what I can determine.

Acquisition: 2008

Tantalus ID#35535

CNG wrote about this type as follows:

Tarsos had been a Seleukid mint nearly from the beginning of the kingdom's existence, and the reverse types of the early kings mainly followed the traditional Seleukid types, such as Apollo and Nike. Alexander I Balas introduced the Sandan type, honoring the local deity, on both his tetradrachms and drachms. As an usurper, Balas may have added the type in a bid to win-over the population at Tarsos. The type proved so popular that it was continued by all the following Seleukid kings. Nevertheless, these issues, particularly the drachms, are extremely rare until the reign of Alexander II Zebina. Fewer than ten Sandan drachms are known for Antiochos VII.[In actuality, there are >15]

20081013

According to an email from Oliver Hoover “This does indeed look like an unrecorded monogram. It looks to me like you have a new example of an imitative type of the Antioch Laodice/elephant series….” cf. entry for additional info that may correct this statement.

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